Head of Product Handbook
Principles of a Modern Product Org
PRINCIPLE 1
We are an empowered Product Team.
Crusaders, not task takers.
Task takers passively accept feature requests and do as they are told. Crusaders decide what to do because they passionately buy into the product vision and are committed to uncovering and solving real problems for real customers.
Entrusted to deliver.
Leadership ensures the Product Strategy lays out clear goals. Product Managers are empowered to figure out the best way to meet those goals, and they are accountable for the results they deliver.
PRINCIPLE 2
We win together.
Everyone has a role to play.
The Triad (Product Manager, UX Designer, Lead Engineer) and their data partners (UX Researchers, Product Analysts) work together to identify real customer problems and solve them with innovative, impactful solutions.
Different drivers, but no hard handoffs.
Hard handoffs create siloed departments, decrease efficiency, and build a “it’s not my job” culture. Prevent hard handoffs and foster collaborative innovation by bringing the right people along the journey at the right time.
Typically, the Product Manager drives priority of the problem to solve. The UX Designer drives the user experience for the solution. The Lead Dev drives technical execution of the solution. UX Research drives gathering and analyzing qualitative data and making informed proposals based on research insights. The Product Analyst drives gathering and analyzing quantitative data and making informed proposals based on data insights.
Be a multiplier.
Get more done by bringing out the greatness in others.
Always be learning.
Teams should always be learning through frequent, incremental releases of bite sized value and rapid experimentation on production.
Think big and bold.
There is no such thing as failure so long as you learn from it.
Have a clear plan.
A plan includes an experiment brief, feature brief, and clear success metrics - but don’t be afraid to pivot if you’re wrong.
Take time to reflect.
When there are learnings to be had, take time to conduct a Blameless Post Mortem.
PRINCIPLE 3
We move fast with data.
PRINCIPLE 4
We build and leverage our storytelling superpower.
Persuade through storytelling.
Use storytelling, with data and facts, to clarify, inspire, and influence without authority.
Leverage the why.
Frequently communicate not only the what and how, but also the “why” to build transparency and trust with the company and our customers.